Grace D. Mahone, 97, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 9, 2023 with her daughter by her side. Grace was born to Hezza Kie and Almeria Dowdy of Lee County, NC, the seventh of nine children. She was a graduate of Deep River HS in Lee County, NC.
Grace was a beautician in Sanford, NC before she met her future husband, James Mahone. They were married in 1949 and she relocated to Norfolk. With her husband James, they built their home in 1956 where they lived for their entire lives. Grace was an original member of Aldersgate UMC, a member of the River Forest Shores Garden Club for many years, held various PTA positions while her children were in school, and was a Cub Scouts den mother among other community involvements. While mainly a housewife, she was employed at the GE television plant in Portsmouth, VA until she retired when the plant closed.
Grace was a loving grandmother and great grandmother and cared for all of her grandchildren and several of her great grandchildren. After retirement, she and James enjoyed traveling with neighbors and siblings, including mentionable trips to Europe, Alaska and the western US. She enjoyed gardening, working in her beautiful flower beds and was always offering food to anyone who visited.
Grace was predeceased by her beloved husband of 66 years, James G. Mahone. Grace is survived by her daughter Anita Sims of Norfolk, son James Jr of Miami, FL, brother Carson Dowdy (Raleigh, NC) and sister Freda Brafford (Sanford, NC), grandchildren Tom Sims (Asheville, NC), James Mahone (Portland, OR), Jenna Leverett (Chesapeake, VA), Laura Mahone (Casselberry, FL) and Chris Sims (Phoenix, AZ), and nine great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Aldersgate UMC, Norfolk, with a service at 11 a.m. A reception will be held immediately after the service at the church with burial at Woodlawn at 1 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be sent in her name to Aldersgate UMC, Norfolk.
Condolences may be left for the family here.
